MLB News

AL scored sixth straight win in 1993 All-Star Game

Puckett has HR, run-scoring double in MVP performance

By
Bill CenterSan Diego Padres

Bill Center, longtime sportswriter for U-T San Diego, is an employee of the Padres.

Seven pitchers held the National League to one run on five hits over the final eight innings and Kirby Puckett hit a homer and a run-scoring double in 1993 as the American League won a sixth straight All-Star Game.

Bill Center, longtime sportswriter for U-T San Diego, is an employee of the Padres.

Seven pitchers held the National League to one run on five hits over the final eight innings and Kirby Puckett hit a homer and a run-scoring double in 1993 as the American League won a sixth straight All-Star Game.

The American League prevailed, 9-3, on July 13, 1993, at Camden Yards in Baltimore.

The National League took a quick 2-0 lead in the first when left fielder Barry Bonds of the San Francisco Giants hit the first of his record-tying two doubles and scored on a two-run homer by Florida Marlins third baseman Gary Sheffield.

The American League tied the game with solo home runs in the second and third innings Left fielder Puckett of the Twins connected off National League starter Terry Mulholland in the second. Toronto second baseman Roberto Alomar homered off Andy Benes of the Padres in the third.

The American League put the game away with three runs in both the fifth and sixth innings.

Texas catcher Ivan Rodriguez opened the American League third with a double off Giants' John Burkett and scored on a one-out single by Cleveland pinch-hitter Albert Belle, who advanced to second when right fielder David Justice of Atlanta bobbled the hit for an error.

Seattle center fielder Ken Griffey Jr. singled home Belle and advanced to second on Justice's throw to the plate. Puckett, who was named the game's Most Valuable Player, doubled home Griffey to make it 5-2.

Atlanta's Steve Avery, who replaced Burkett to get the final out in the fifth, gave up three unearned runs after retiring the first two hitters in a dismal sixth inning for the National League.

With runners on second and third and two out, Atlanta's John Smoltz relieved his teammate and threw two wild pitches that allowed both Belle and White to score.

The National League had temporarily reduced the American League lead to two runs in the top of the sixth. Bonds hit his second double, advanced to third on a Sheffield single and scored on a sacrifice fly by Cincinnati shortstop Barry Larkin off the New York Yankees' Jimmy Key.

The game's final run came in the bottom of the seventh. Milwaukee left fielder Greg Vaughn opened the inning with a single off Rod Beck of the Giants and scored on a two-out double by Oakland catcher Terry Steinbach.

Puckett was the lone American League player with two hits and multiple RBIs. Bonds and Sheffield each had two of the National League's seven hits. Bonds had the two doubles and two runs scored. Sheffield had a homer and two RBIs.

Randy Johnson of Seattle followed starter Langston with a strikeout in two perfect innings. Jack McDowell of the Chicago White Sox pitched a perfect fifth and was credited with the win. Burkett took the loss.

Benes and right fielder Tony Gwynn (0-for-1) were the Padres' representatives on the National League team.

Benes allowed the one run on two hits with two strikeouts in two innings.